The role of citizen participation in promoting social security and

development (Case study: Herat city, Afghanistan)

a
Assistant Professor of Urban Management, Allameh Tabataba’I University, Tehran, Iran.
b
Assistant Professor of Geography & Urban Planning, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
c
PhD Candidate of Geography & Urban Planning, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

Extended Abstract
Objective: The city of Herat suffers from two types of insecurity that have affected the development of the
city and its communities. One is domestic insecurity that is severely affected by poor economic conditions,
poverty, migration, marginalization, and the other one is external insecurity affected by the presence of
Taliban and opposition groups in the current government. According to statistics, more than one-third of
citizens in Herat are suffering from economic poverty that has severely affected their social lives, and it has
also increased the scope of social anomalies (World Bank report, 2018). Along with this, the presence of
armed forces and their desire to dominate the city led to the occurrence of more than 180 security incidents
in the city between 2016 and 2017, which caused nearly 250 civilians lost their lives in 2017 (EASO, 2017,
and CPINA, 2019). Such basic problems made authorities decide to get help from people themselves in
order to manage the city better and lead it to increased security and social development. In the meantime,
authorities can gradually increase the level of people participation in urban activities by increasing their
sense of sense of belonging, thereby making the public role more prominent in raising the level of security.
By doing so, they can take other necessary measurements to develop the society. Therefore, in this study,
the need to pay more attention to citizen participation in increasing the level of security in communities and
consequently social development were the ideas that were taken into account by researchers. In this regard,
the following questions were posed: What is the role of public participation in increasing citizens' social
development in the city of Herat? What is the role of public participation in enhancing security in Herat?
What are different areas of Herat in terms of participation insecurity, and social development?
Method: This research study is a kind of applied research, and it is descriptive-analytical research study in
terms of the nature of the research. In the present study, some data were collected using documentary
studies. Then, fieldwork and questionnaires were used to collect the required data. In this regard, 38
questions were designed in accordance with the main variables of the research, and then they were
distributed among individuals. After data collection, the data were analyzed, using statistical methods like
Pearson correlation coefficient Friedman, one sample of t-test Chi-square, regression in SPSS software.
Then, GIS and WASPAS software were used in order to map and analyze the spatial data in the city of
Herat. The statistical population of the present study includes the citizens of Herat city and the
administrative staff and executives in the city. To do so, a random method for selection was applied to
measure the level of community participation in urban issues and their roles in enhancing security and urban
development. The sampling method was prepared using Cochran's formula, and accordingly 382
questionnaires were prepared considering the population of 700,000 in the city of Herat.
Results: In this research, the first thing investigated was the correlation between the variables of the
research, using correlation method. Based on the results, the responses which were related to the
relationship between participation and such variables of research as social development, urban security
were placed above average indicating the existence of citizen participation's positive role in providing the

1
Corresponding author at: Allameh Tabataba’I University, Tehran, Iran, P.C: 1489684511. E-mail address: faraji@atu.ac.ir
(Faraji, S.J).
2 Faraji, SJ et al (2020) Urban Social Geograghy, 7(1), 97–124
English Extended Abstract Open access fultex paper in persian: DOI: 10.22103/JUSG.2020.2007

city of Herat with social development and urban security. In fact, based on the findings, public participation
has a positive role in enhancing social development, which indicates the presence of a strong correlation
between these indicators, public participation and social development index of the city. Among the
questions about public participation, the most important item which was highly rated was "How much
citizens are willing to participate in cultural and social activities”. However, in term of social development,
the item which was highly rated by people was " Although it is up to municipality to solve and deal with
the problem of the city, I myself as a citizen feel really responsible for problems in my city and make a lot
of effort to be involved in tackling and resolving the problems”, and for urban security the highly rated item
for participation was " I will report the issues affecting urban security to security agencies”.
In the next phase and in order to investigate the status of participation in urban areas, a spatial analysis of
the city was carried out using WASPAS and GIS software. The results indicated that district 10 in the city
of Herat had the highest level of public participation, while the lowest level of that belonged to district
Velsvaliha) suburb aria) According to security index, the highest score belonged to district 10.
Conclusion: Therefore, it can be well concluded that people in some parts of the city have shown a high
tendency to cooperate with officials to promote the status of their city. Besides, it can be useful to take all
necessary measurements to persuade people to be more involved in the activities in their own community,
and to heed to neighborhoods where people are less interested in being involved in social affairs in order to
provide those places with necessary planning, to raise the level of public participation, and to increase social
development and urban security in those areas. This can be achievable provided authorities come up with
accurate and operational approaches and address the issue of public participation and its role in social
development and urban security.

Keywords: Partnership, Security, Social Development, Afghanistan, Herat City.

Received: September 15, 2019 Reviewed: December 23, 2019 Accepted: March 02, 2020 Published Online: March 20, 2020

Citation: Faraji, S.J., Khabazi Chaloshtori, M., Ahmadi, Sh (2020). The role of citizen participation in promoting social security
and development (Case study: Herat city, Afghanistan) Journal of Urban Social Geography, 7(1), 97-124. (In Persian)

DOI: 10.22103/JUSG.2020.2007

References:
Adalatkhah, M (1996). To realize the participation of the people. Journal of Architecture and
Urban Planning, Vol.6, N.3-4. (In Persian).
Ahadnejad Rushti, M., Heidari, M.T., Azizi, M.S (2019). Assessing the development of pocket
parks with the approach of citizen participation in urban neighborhoods (Case study: Ziba Shahr
and Amir Kabir neighborhoods of Zanjan). Bi-Quarterly Journal of Social Geography of the City.
Volume 6, Number 2, pp. 54-39. (In Persian).
Ahmadi, Shafiqah (2015). Analysis of the economic effects of tourism in Herat city with
emphasis on historical and cultural attractions (Case study: Tomb of Khajeh Abdullah Ansari,
Sharif Mosque, Ekhtiaruddin Castle). Master Thesis in Geography and Urban Planning, under the
guidance of Dr. Kadivar, Payame Noor University, Mashhad Branch. (In Persian).
Arnstein, S.R (1969). A ladder of citizen participation. Journal of the American Institute of
planners, Vol 35, No 35, pp216-224. (In English)
Aslanlu, A., Sheikhi Qalat, M.T., Afshar, A (2012). Factors affecting public participation in
promoting social security. A case study of Manjil city. Quarterly Journal of Information and Enamel
Research. Year 7. No. 3. pp. 89-104. (In Persian).
3 Faraji, SJ et al (2020) Urban Social Geograghy, 7(1), 97–124
English Extended Abstract Open access fultex paper in persian: DOI: 10.22103/JUSG.2020.2007

Azimi Amoli, J., Sodagar, S (2016). Investigating the role of citizen participation in sustainable
development of the city (case study: Noor city). Quarterly Journal of Urban Management Studies,
Vol.7, N.21, pp. 35-45. (In Persian).
Balaei, Hamid (2017). Familiarity with the concepts of public law to study the concept of
security. Research Institute of the Guardian Council, Office of Islamic Systems Studies, No. 61, 2017.
Bednarska-Olejniczak, D., Olejniczak, J., Svobodová, L (2019). Towards a smart and
sustainable city with the involvement of public participation—the case of
Wroclaw. Sustainability, Vol 11, No 2, pp 332. (In English)
Blöbaum, A., Hunecke, M (2005). Perceived danger in urban public space: The impacts of
physical features and personal factors. Environment and Behavior, Vol 37, No 4, pp465-486. (In
English)
Capacity development plan. (2011). Herat Mayor's Office. (In Persian).
Carter, R. T. (2001). Back to the future in cultural competence training. The Counseling
Psychologist, Vol 29, No 6, pp787-789. (In English)
Chua, H.-w., A. K. Wong, et al. (2010). Social development in Hong Kong: development issues
identified by Social Development Index (SDI). Social Indicators Research, Vol 95, No 3, pp 535-551.
(In English)
Country Policy and Information Note Afghanistan (CPINA): security and humanitarian situation
(2019). AFG security situation. Home Office. (In English)
Dempsey. N., Brown, C., Bramley, G (2012). The key to sustainable urban development in UK
cities? The influence of density on social sustainability. Proress in planning, Vol 77, pp 89-141. (In
English)
Ellis, A. K., & Day, J. H. (2003). Diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis. Cmaj, Vol 169, No
6, pp307-312. (In English)
European Asylum Support Office (EASO) (2017). Country of Origin Information Report
Afghanistan Security Situation, Key socio-economic indicators, state protection, and mobility in
Kabul City, Mazar-e Sharif, and Herat City. ISBN: 978-92-9494-837-3 and doi: 10.2847/574136. (In
English)
European Asylum Support Office (EASO) (2019). Country of Origin Information Report
Afghanistan Security Situation, Key socio-economic indicators, state protection, and mobility in
Kabul City, Mazar-e Sharif, and Herat City. ISBN: 978-92-9476-141-5and doi: 10.2847/03348. (In
English)
Farshadfar, Y (2011). Explain the social and cultural factors that affect women's sense of
security. Tehran. Social Security Studies. No. 27. pp. 47-72. (In Persian).
Golabi, F., Akhshi, N (2015). Social Participation and Social Vitality. Applied Sociology. Year
20, serial number 58. (In Persian).
Goodarzi, S (2009). Application of statistics in the social sciences with spss commands and how
to interpret outputs. Tehran, Sociologists Publications. (In Persian).
Habibpour, K., Safari, R (2009). Comprehensive Guide to SPSS in Survey Research. Seventh
Edition, Metafkaran Publications. (In Persian).
Herat Comprehensive Strategic Plan (2013). Perspective for the future. University of Florence,
Italy. (In Persian).
https://easo.europa.eu
https://tradingeconomics.com
Jacobs, M. R., Good, C. E., Beall, B., Bajaksouzian, S., Windau, A. R., Whitney, C. G. (2008).
Changes in serotypes and antimicrobial susceptibility of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae strains
in Cleveland: a quarter century of experience. Journal of clinical microbiology, Vol 46, No 3, pp 982-
990. (In English)
Kabul Municipality (2015). The situation in Afghanistan cities. Part II. (In Persian).
Kalantari, M (2011). Securing the physical space of cities against crime by using crime
prevention strategies with environmental design. Journal of Law Enforcement Science, Vol. 12, p.
38. (In Persian).
4 Faraji, SJ et al (2020) Urban Social Geograghy, 7(1), 97–124
English Extended Abstract Open access fultex paper in persian: DOI: 10.22103/JUSG.2020.2007

King, R., Iosifides, T., Myrivili, L (1998). A migrant's story: from Albania to Athens. Journal of
Ethnic and Migration Studies, Vol 24, No 1, pp 159-175. (In English)
Moradi, Golmrad (2010). Investigating the effect of public participation in reducing urban
insecurity in the case of Kermanshah. Journal of Social Sciences, Faculty of Literature and
Humanities, Frodsi University, Vol. 6, N.1, pp. 101-130. (In Persian).
Najafi, M.A., Abdollahi, I., Farhadi, C., Heydari, M; (2010). Perspectives for the development of
economic relations between Iran and Afghanistan (investment and development of trade relations).
First Edition, Alexander Hedayat Institute. (In Persian).
Rezaei Moghadam, A., Arezoo, H., Yousefpour, V., Ebadi, M (2012). Investigating the place of
design in creating a sense of security in residential complexes. Fourth Urban Planning and
Management Conference, Holy Mashhad, May 2012. (In Persian).
Roberts, B. W, Bogg, T، (2004). Conscientiousness and health-related behaviors: a meta-
analysis of the leading behavioral contributors to mortality. Psychological bulletin, Vol 130No 6, pp
887. (In English)
Roche, G (1995). Social action. Translated by Homa Zanjanizadeh, Mashhad, Ferdowsi
University. (In Persian).
Soares, R. R. (2004). Development, crime and punishment: accounting for the international
differences in crime rates. Journal of Development Economics, Vol ٧٣, No 1, pp155-184. (In English)
Taqvaee, A.A., Rafieian, M., Rezvan, A (2010). Analysis of the relationship between land use
components with reduced crime and urban insecurity. Human Geography Research. No. 77. Fall
2011. pp. 19-38. (In Persian).
Terpstra, J. (2008). Police, local government, and citizens as participants in local security
networks. Police practice and research: an international journal, Vol 9, No 3, pp 213-225. (In English)
Tusi, M.A. (2001). Participate in management and ownership. Fourteenth Edition, Tehran:
Public Management Organization Publications. (In Persian).
UNDP (1999). Human Development Report. New York. (In English)
Van Speier, J. (2009). Citizen Participation Influencing Public Decision Making. Brazil and the
United States. (In English)
World bank report (2018). Mapping Poverty in Afghanistan. Technical Report, Public Disclosure
Authorized. (In English)
www.farsnews.com